Nikki Bella on split from John Cena: Wedding planning made me face issues we have deep down inside

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 05/16/2018

Nikki Bella admits her doubts about marrying John Cena intensified while planning their May wedding.

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Nikki, 34, opened up about her split from the American Grit host Wednesday on the Today show, revealing that wedding planning magnified the couple's deep-rooted problems.

"I think that a lot of us that go through the wedding planning process are forced to face all these issues we have just hiding deep down inside," the Total Bellas and Total Divas star said on Today.

"I just know that a healthy me would be a healthy us, and I do have hope for a future, but I know right now I need to work on me."

Nikki broke off her engagement to the 41-year-old WWE superstar in mid-April, just three weeks before the bride was supposed to walk down the aisle in Mexico.

Sources previously told People the couple of six years parted ways because they had different views on marriage and John also lacked a desire to have children.

"Before I do say those vows and walk down that aisle, I just don't want to be hesitant. I don't want to be regretful," Nikki explained.

The former Dancing with the Stars contestant said she needed some peace of mind and to gain more confidence in her relationship before tying the knot.

"I think when you sacrifice for so long, it's like, you can give so much and then you kind of get tired of giving. And then someone wants to give it back and you just already feel exhausted," Nikki said.

The reality TV star, however, is optimistic that she and John will end up together.

"I definitely have hope," she noted. "I really do."

John stopped by the Today show earlier this week and discussed his failed engagement to Nikki. Not only did he appear sad and disheartened, but he also professed his love to his girlfriend of six years on-camera.

"[In response] to all the speculation, I love her. I want to be with her. I want to make her my wife," John insisted on the talk show.

"I want to be the father of her children. I just want us to work. That's from [my heart]... It was an unfortunate set of circumstances where our relationship ended."

Nikki admitted Wednesday on the talk show show she was "so shocked" to hear John say those words.

"He is absolutely an amazing man," she gushed with a smile. "He's such a sweetheart, and I truly love him so much. He's my best friend."

Nikki and John's breakup will be featured on the upcoming season of Total Bellas, which premieres May 20 at 9PM ET/PT on E!.

Nikki's twin sister Brie Bella, who also stars on the series, revealed she's proud of her sister and John for "putting their relationship out there" and loves them both as individuals and together.

John proposed marriage in early April 2017 in the middle of a wrestling ring at WrestleMania 33.